BALTIMORE, Md. - Vernell Byers Dawkins, 88, of Jeremiah House, 3503 Plateau Ave., widow of Ned Dawkins Jr., died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at 3 p.m. at her residence.

Born Aug. 21, 1920, in Gaffney, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Wright Byers and the late Rachel Baxter Byers. She first joined Bethel Baptist Church in Gaffney and after moving to Baltimore, joined Morning Star Baptist Church. She was a retired cook.

Surviving are a daughter, Lula M. Fair of Gaffney; a sister, Idella Byers of Gaffney; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters in-law, Mamie D. Smith and Willie Dawkins of Gaffney; and three god-children, Rosie Wilkins, Verna Littlejohn and Cynthia Pearson.

The family is at the home of Lula M. Fair, 117 Kennedy St.

Arrangements by Foster Funeral Home.